Written By B D Narayankar
Question: Was the mysterious Pakistani boat controversy necessary?
SocraticNarayankar: There are occasions where politics should not be played on issues concerning national security. Sadly, the Congress and many opposition parties are making an issue out of the mysterious Pakistani boat matter to score political points over the Union Government.
Their latest ploy is to use a irresponsible remark by a Coast Guard officer to pin down the Narendra Modi regime on the matter. Coast Guard DIG BK Loshali recently boasted that he had ordered to “blow the (Pakistani) boat off”.
It did not matter to them that Loshali was not even a part of the chain of command to issue such orders - and therefore he simply could not have given the directive, which means Loshali should not be taken seriously.
Watch Video: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/video/pakistan-boat-row-coast-guard-dig-bk-loshali-indian-express-video-defence-ministr/1/419677.html
The TRP men should understand what they were indulging in - it is like this: Getting information on cricket from Lionel Messi! - It is nothing messy to understand this, however the TRP men are messy enough to mess around and churn messy things to viewers, who they think are messy enough to mess around, but no the viewers are wise - they treat these news bulletins and TV debates no less than cartoon shows!
Even if, the TRP men please read carefully, Loshali had been authorised to order the blowing off, he or the Coast Guard Chief could not have taken the step without clear instructions from the very top of the ruling political establishment.
Question: Weren't the TRP men irresponsible like the Opposition parties including Congress?
SocraticNarayankar: Oh, absolutely they were, or most of the time are - irresponsible.
Look what was the repercussion. They all played into the hands of Pakistan. The enemy neighbour latched on to it and slammed India for its "devious" ways. Islamabad has been no doubt heartened by the sharp criticism the Indian government has faced from its political rivals.
Shouldn't we not blame even the Defence Minister?
SocraticNarayankar: Parrikar could have made public at least the relevant portions that could have stopped the tongues to wag. I am not demanding he should reveal everything which is bracketed as sensitive information - matters concerning national security.
Parrikar could have also been more forthcoming in educating the people about the incident.
Hours after the incident came to light, Parrikar had promised to release fresh information on the incident, but never happened. This could have been avoided.
It is to be hoped that the Defence Minister will fulfil the repeated promise to release the evidence to vindicate government's stand.
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